Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple's iPad Pro vs. Google's Pixelbook
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
If anyone really wants a Pixelbook by all means get one. But at that price I don't see why someone wouldn't just get Windows 2-in-1 and load the Chrome browser on it.
It's not like Google is going to pay less for a 7th-gen Intel Core i5 processor, or RAM or an SSD than the Windows hardware O.E.M.'s pay for the same components. The hardware is going to cost pretty much the same for comparably equipped Chromebooks and Windows laptops. So they are going to be priced pretty close together.
The only difference is the Windows O/S which when purchased through an O.E.M. is probably only running $20 or $30.
Because that is an overly simplistic understanding of what ChromeOS is.
Besides, the latest version of the Chrome browser on macOS and Windows no longer supports the chrome app store.
You know you can buy certain Dell laptops with Linux already installed.
May not be your cup of tea, but I thought I'd let you know.
Also, a lot of people underestimate how great the lower headroom and easy security is. It takes about five minutes to reinstall everything if something goes wrong.
Didn’t say that. I specifically said “for starters”. Linux is capable of running any high-end software. Only reason certain software isn’t available for Linux is because of market share, not any limitations in the OS.
"for starters" generally means just that... the bare minimum. Linux doesn't even pass the bare minimum standard of your definition of a "full OS".
The same could be said for chromeOS. Hey I get it. You're not a fan of chromeOS. That's ok. I respect that. No need to come up with shaky and shifting definitions to explain it. We like what we like. We dislike what we dislike.
Right, and that's a fair point. However, the iPad Pro is already a high price, and doesn't include the additional $150 keyboard. Most Chromebooks are priced significantly lower than the iPad.
At this stage it's unfortunate for any other tablet that isn't an iPad Pro. Having bought a Pencil and Pro combo last week it's now my fave device I own. And it's unfortunate for me because as I'm now switching away from Apple thanks to the battery faff I won't be buying future iPads unless they change their slowdown policy.
As I said, it is a specific niche that this works for, it is not a hands down item for everyone and honestly I know many elderly people that just can't get how to work an iPad.
What? Have you ever used one? I have since it was released and I've not encountered any bugs, not one.
Except for the fact that the latency is higher with the surface's pen than the Pixelbook's pen, for our use case that is a deal breaker.
Ridiculous - Microsoft conceived and invented the 2-in-1 which Apple haphazardly copied with the IPad Pro.
Hmm, haven't used Android much I take it? Honestly, there are tons of quality apps on Android, including some that are only available for Android and not iOS.
[doublepost=1515106185][/doublepost]
I would correct this a little bit, don't get into high end graphic design. Drawing (CAD) is fine with either android apps, web based CAD or by using AutoCAD on a remote desktop, honestly it is one of the best experiences you can get thanks to the low latency of the pen.
As for coding, you absolutely can code with it, just requires a bit different approach by using web based tools or Android apps.
[doublepost=1515106426][/doublepost]
Microsoft most definitely did not conceive the 2 in 1, that foes to the Compac TC1000 from 2002, although it wasn't really a huge success. Microsoft didn't even kick off the 2 in 1 going mainstream, that honor goes to ASUS with the Eee Pad Transformer in 2011. Microsoft didn't even get in the game until 2013, with many other manufactures having released a 2 in 1 in 2012, so no, Microsoft didn't invent the category.
3 years ago I would totally have agreed with you. These days however with constant iOS changes and introduced limitations I would say Android in it's pure Google Oreo form or basic Chrome that Google ship is far superior. For the elderly. For students it depends on their needs. I'm a Mac user since 1997 and I've had every, MacBook Pro, iPod, iPhone and iPad since they were released. But recent iOS / MacOS updates have had me looking at the competition and often finding that it's better.
The Pixelbook is brilliant, no bigger or much more expensive than an iPad pro with an Apple keyboard. Yet you can do so much more on it so much easier and faster. People slag off Android or Google mainly because they have never used either in it's pure form. Oreo is a far superior mobile OS when compared to iOS and the Google eco system makes iCloud seem very basic.
The Pixelbook comes with 100GB free Cloud storage, free unlimited image storage if you also own a Pixel phone. The screen is stunning, the keyboard the best I've ever used and it's portability is brilliant. Since I've got it I barely ever use my iPad.
Is it for everyone, maybe not but if you are considering a iPad with keyboard I would suggest you check it out first. The Pixelbook is the perfect all in one portable device.
No offense intended, but I really don't come to MacRumors to hear opinions about how an Apple product compares to a non-Apple product.
I really don't care about the Google Pixelbook - I'm linked to the Apple ecosystem. That's why I frequent MacRumors.com. If I were interested in mobile products from Google or others, I really would not be coming to this site to learn about the various options I might have or see how those options might compare to similar Apple products. I can find those facts and opinions on other, more appropriate sites.
I short, IMHO, I'd like to see MacRumors stay away from ANY comparisons between Apple products and non-Apple products. I know, I can certainly ignore these posts if I wish, but seeing them on a beloved Apple-centric site seems wrong to me.
Just my $0.02.
I really don't care about the Google Pixelbook - I'm linked to the Apple ecosystem. That's why I frequent MacRumors.com. If I were interested in mobile products from Google or others, I really would not be coming to this site to learn about the various options I might have or see how those options might compare to similar Apple products. I can find those facts and opinions on other, more appropriate sites.
I short, IMHO, I'd like to see MacRumors stay away from ANY comparisons between Apple products and non-Apple products. I know, I can certainly ignore these posts if I wish, but seeing them on a beloved Apple-centric site seems wrong to me.
Just my $0.02.
Nonsense, I've been using one since launch and it is far more used than any iPad I've ever owned and I've had all the major updates since the original one which I bought the day it was released.
Think Differently and try out the competition for a change, you might be pleasantly surprised.
[doublepost=1515107199][/doublepost]
It's still a far more intelligent mobile OS than any iPad has.
Come on. Are we seriously comparing a first generation machine that looks straight out of 1990 to the revolutionary iPad Pro? Ridiculous!
You've clearly never used a Pixel phone, I've ditched my 7 Plus and used a Pixel 2 XL since release. It is definitely not a beta product. Oreo is a smoother more accomplished mobile OS than iOS with all it's recent bugs and constant restrictions. The camera as you said is far superior to any iPhone including X.
The only thing I would currently want to change is the colour balance of the screen. I don't have any colour shift issues with mine but as a photographer I prefer a different whitepoint to the one currently choosen by Google. Other then that the hardware is perfect, touch ID is faster than any iPhone, the build quality is great and support second to none. And before I get accused of being an Android fanboy I've had every iPhone since the first one. However recently Apple has started to lag behind primarily through bad OS upgrades and wrong hardware choices.
Many Apple fans could benefit from spending some time with other devices, pure Oreo is a dream to use.
I've also got the Pixelbook and the way the two interact is something my iPhone and iPad could only dream of doing. Apple has some catching up to do and as we all know, competition is only ever a good thing.
[doublepost=1515109024][/doublepost]
Try again, many apps these days as long as they run on a decent phone (Google Pixel) often run better on Android. Some run better on iOS but after using both for the last two years I'd say it's 50-50.
[doublepost=1515109127][/doublepost]
Use one and I guarantee you'll change your mind.
Last edited:
These comments about what a real computer is are really getting boring.
There are plenty of examples on this forum of users who have replaced other computers with an iPad. For real.
No it can’t. Are you even aware of the architectural limitations of Chrome and why you won’t see powerful software on it?
I guess this depends on your use case, but for me the iPad Pro does more than the standard iPad. It is my primary computing device. For someone who plans on browsing the web, listening to music, or watching movies, the standard iPad will work just as well. I disagree with saying the Surface Pro or its clones are real computers by comparisons. They are also compromise devices. To start with, the Surface sucks as a tablet. Windows 10 is an improvement, but nothing like iOS or Adnoid for touch. The PC apps that people want to run are also not usually designed for touch. You can use them as a regular computer, but at that point, you might as well have a laptop at the much cheaper price. I do almost everything i need to on my iPad without any issue. My Surface sits around until I feel guilty for not using it, then I turn it on and attempt to download and install the windows updates, which generally hang somewhere along the way so I pick up my iPad again. I do use my MacBook Pro if I need to run VMs but that is about it. I feel guilty for not using it either. I’m sure for most, the Chromebook can work as their primary device as well.
List some. I have a Pixel, S7 and S8 as company test devices. I’ll load them up and compare to my 7 Plus (iPhone X wouldn’t be fair).
I only find mainstream Apps to be comparable, but find Android seriously lacking once you expand beyond the basics everyone uses.